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TN Rule 0940-05-01

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TN Rule 0940-05-01 Definitions

Jurisdiction: TN Agency: Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS)
CRISIS_STABILIZATION (100%) DETOX (100%) MH_IOP (60%) MH_PHP (100%) MH_RESIDENTIAL (100%) OTP (100%) OUTPATIENT (100%) PSYCH_FACILITY (100%) RECOVERY_RESIDENCE (80%) SUD_IOP (60%) SUD_RESIDENTIAL (100%)
Plain-English summary

This definitions chapter establishes the terminology used throughout Tennessee's TDMHSAS licensing rules (Chapters 0940-05-01 through 0940-05-47), covering mental health and alcohol/drug treatment facilities. It defines distinct categories of licensed mental health facilities—including crisis stabilization units, mental health hospitals, residential treatment facilities, day programs, outpatient facilities, supportive living facilities, psychosocial rehabilitation programs, and intensive day treatment programs for children—as well as alcohol and drug service categories. Facility operators must understand these definitions as they govern the scope and applicability of all subsequent licensing requirements in the chapter series.

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Regulation text
February, 2025 (Revised) 1 
RULES 
OF 
THE TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH 
AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES 
OFFICE OF LICENSURE 
 
CHAPTER 0940-05-01 
DEFINITIONS 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
0940-05-01-.01 Definition of General Terms Used in All 
Rules 
0940-05-01-.02 Definition of Terms Used in Mental 
Health Rules 
0940-05-01-.03 Repealed 
0940-05-01-.04 Definition of Distinct Categories of 
Mental Health Facilities 
0940-05-01-.05 
 through 
0940-05-01-.14 Repealed
0940-05-01-.15 Definitions for the Distinct Category of 
 Personal Support Services Agencies 
0940-05-01-.16 Definitions of Terms Used in Alcohol 
 and Drug Rules 
0940-05-01-.17 Definitions of District Categories of 
 Alcohol and Drug Services
 
0940-05-01-.01 DEFINITION OF GENERAL TERMS USED IN ALL RULES. 
 
As used in Chapters 0940-05-01 through 0940-05-47 of these rules, unless the context indicates 
otherwise, terms have the following meaning: 
 
(1) “Alcohol and Drug Treatment Services ” includes evaluation, treatment, residential personal 
care, habilitation, rehabilitation, counseling, or supervision of service recipients who abuse or 
are dependent upon alcohol or drugs; or services designed to prevent alcohol and/or drug 
abuse or dependence. 
 
(2) “Ambulatory Service Recipient ” means a service recipient who is physically and mentally 
capable under emergency conditions of finding a way to safety without physical assistance 
from another person. An ambulatory service recipient may use a cane, wheelchair or other 
supportive device and may require verbal prompting. 
 
(3) “Applicant or Licensee Applicant ” means the proprietorship, partnership, association, 
governmental agency, or corporation which makes, or is required to make, application for the 
licensure of a facility determined to be under the licensure jurisdiction of the Department. 
 
(4) “Assessment” means a documented evaluation of a service recipient for the purpose of 
determining prevention, treatment and/or rehabilitation needs. An assessment may, but does 
not necessarily, include examinations and tests determined to be necessary by the service 
staff based on the presenting problems and symptoms of the individual service recipient. 
 
(5) “Capable of Self-Preservation” means that a service recipient is capable of responding to an 
approved emergency signal, including prompting by voice, by following a pre- taught 
evacuation procedure within a reasonable time limitation whether or not the service recipient 
is fully aware of the reasons for the action. A service recipient is capable of self -preservation 
if the service recipient is able to transfer unassisted from the bed or another fixed position to 
an individualized means of mobility, which is continuously available, and able to demonstrate 
the ability to transverse a pre- defined means of egress from the facility within a reasonable 
time limitation. Service recipients who have imposed upon them security measures beyond 
their control, which prevent their egress from the facility, are not capable of self-preservation. 
 
(6) “Caregiver” means a temporary care- giving adult person with power of attorney for care of 
minor child as defined by T.C.A. § 34-6-302. 
DEFINITIONS CHAPTER 0940-05-01 
 
(Rule 0940-05-01-.01, continued) 
February, 2025 (Revised) 2 
 
(7) “Chief Executive Officer or Director” means the person appointed, designated, or hired by the 
governing body to be responsible for the day -to-day operation of the facility or facilities 
operated by the licensee. 
 
(8) “Civil Rights” means the rights of personal liberty guaranteed to citizens by the Constitutions 
of the United States and the State of Tennessee, and by federal and state statutes. 
 
(9) “Community Living Skills ” means the array of skills which enables a service recipient to live 
independently in the community. These include, but are not limited to, skills in the following 
areas: independent living, educational/vocational, inter -personal, social, problem solving, 
financial, leisure time, mobility in the community and use of community resources. 
 
(10) “Conservator” means a person or persons appointed by the court to provide partial or full 
supervision, protection and assistance of the person or property, or both, of a disabled 
person as defined in T.C.A. § 34-1-101. 
 
(11) “Corporal Punishment” means the application of painful stimuli to the body in an attempt to 
terminate behavior or as a penalty for behavior, but does not mean aversive stimuli. 
 
(12) “Declaration for Mental Health Treatment ” means a document that allows an individual 
sixteen (16) years of age or older or an emancipated minor with the capacity to make 
informed mental health treatment decisions to say how the individual wants to be treated 
when the individual is unable to make an informed mental health treatment decision. 
 
(13) “Department” means the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse 
Services. 
 
(14) “DSM” means the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental 
Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association, a handbook for mental health 
professionals listing different categories of mental disorders and the criteria for diagnosing 
them. 
 
(15) “Emotional Abuse” means any threatening behavior or statement directed toward a service 
recipient that causes emotional trauma or fear including, but not limited to, ridicule, gestures 
which subject the service recipient to humiliation or degradation, or threatening motions or 
noises intended to startle or frighten the service recipient. 
 
(16) “Exploitation” means any act intended to exploit, extort or defraud a service recipient 
including, but not limited to, misuse of authority over a service recipient, forcing or compelling 
a service recipient to do anything illegal or immoral, attempting to extort money from a 
service recipient through devious means, or stealing a service recipient ’s personal 
possessions. 
 
(17) “Facility” means an institution, treatment resource, group residence, boarding home, 
sheltered workshop, activity center, rehabilitation center, hospital, community mental health 
center, DUI school, counseling center, clinic, halfway house, or other entity by these or other 
names, providing mental health, mental retardation, and/or alcohol and drug treatment 
services. 
 
(18) “Governing Body” means the person or persons with primary legal authority and responsibility 
for the overall operation of the facility and to whom a director/chief executive officer is 
responsible. Depending upon the organizational structure, this body may be an owner or 
owners; a board of directors or other governing members of the licensee; or state, city, or 
county officials appointed by the licensee, etc. 
 
DEFINITIONS CHAPTER 0940-05-01 
 
(Rule 0940-05-01-.01, continued) 
February, 2025 (Revised) 3 
(19) “Grievance Procedure” means a procedure for responding to an expression of a cause of 
distress believed by a service recipient, or by another acting on behalf of a service recipient, 
to constitute a reason for complaint. 
 
(20) “Guardian” means a person or persons appointed by the court to provide partial or full 
supervision, protection and assistance of the person or property, or both, of a minor as 
defined by T.C.A. § 34-1-101. 
 
(21) “Habilitation or Habilitative Services ” means the structured process by which the service 
provider assists a service recipient to acquire and maintain those life skills which enables the 
service recipient to cope more effectively with the demands of the service recipient ’s own 
person and environment and to raise the service recipient ’s physical, mental, and social 
functioning. This process includes programs of formal, structured education and training 
referred to as “individualized program planning.” 
 
(22) “ICD” means the current version of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and 
Related Health Problems, published by the World Health Organization. The ICD provides 
codes to classify diseases and a wide variety of signs, symptoms, abnormal findings, 
complaints, social circumstances and external causes of injury or disease. 
 
(23) “Independent Living Skills ” means the complete continuum of skills involved in increasing 
independence. These include, but are not limited to the following areas: grooming/personal 
hygiene, selection/care of clothing, responsible self -medication, personal safety, 
housekeeping, nutritional/meal preparation, eating/table manners, use of telephone and 
money/budgeting concepts. 
 
(24) “Individualized Program Plan” means a document developed by the treatment staff/team and 
the service recipient, which identifies the service recipient ’s problems and specifies goals to 
be addressed in treatment and the interventions used to accomplish these goals. 
 
(25) “Isolation” means the confinement of a service recipient alone in a room or an area where the 
service recipient is prevented from leaving. This definition is not limited to instances in which 
a service recipient is confined by a locked or a closed door. Isolation does not include: 
 
(a) The segregation of a service recipient for the purpose of managing biological contagion 
consistent with the Centers for Disease Control Guidelines; 
 
(b) Confinement to a locked unit or ward where other service recipients are present. 
Isolation is not solely confinement of a service recipient to an area, but separation of 
the service recipient from other persons; or 
 
(c) Time-out, a behavior management procedure in which the opportunity for positive 
reinforcement is withheld, contingent upon the demonstration of undesired behavior. 
Time-out may involve the voluntary separation of an individual service recipient from 
others. 
 
(26) “Legend Drugs” mean any item that federal law prohibits dispensing without a prescription as 
defined in T.C.A. § 53-10-101. 
 
(27) “Licensed Clinical Psychologist ” means a psychologist licensed to practice psychology in 
Tennessee with the certified competency in clinical psychology determined by the State 
Licensing Board for the Healing Arts and the Board of Examiners in Psychology. 
 
(28) “Licensed Practitioner” means an individual who is licensed by the Tennessee Health Related 
Boards as a: 
 
DEFINITIONS CHAPTER 0940-05-01 
 
(Rule 0940-05-01-.01, continued) 
February, 2025 (Revised) 4 
(a) Physician (medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy); 
 
(b) Certified nurse practitioner; 
 
(c) Physician assistant; 
 
(d) Nurse with a master’s degree in nursing who functions as a psychiatric nurse; 
 
(e) Psychologist with health service provider designation; 
 
(f) Licensed professional counselor; 
 
(g) Senior psychological examiner; 
 
(h) Licensed marriage and family therapist; 
 
(i) Licensed clinical social worker; 
 
(j) Licensed psychological examiner; or 
 
(k) Licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselor. 
 
(29) “Licensee” means the proprietorship, partnership, association, governmental agency, or 
corporation which operates a facility under the licensure jurisdiction of the Department. 
 
(30) “Medication” means drug, either prescribed or available over the counter, intended for use in 
the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease or condition. 
 
(31) “Medication Assistance” means loosening the cap on a pill bottle for oral medication or 
opening medication packaging and placing the medication within reach of the service 
recipient, but does not allow the caregiver to give the medication to the individual. Assistance 
includes medication reminders, and is limited to holding a service recipient ’s hand steady to 
help them with drinking liquid medication, guiding their hand when the individual is applying 
eye/ear/nose drops and wiping the excess liquid, helping with a nasal cannula or mask for 
oxygen, or plugging the machine in and turning it on. 
 
(32) “Mental Health Services ” means all services pertaining to and incidental to the prevention, 
diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, domiciliary care, training, habilitation, counseling, or 
supervision of service recipients who are mentally ill or service recipients with alcohol and/or 
drug abuse or dependency disorders. 
 
(33) “Mental Retardation Services ” means all services pertaining to and incidental to the 
prevention, diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, domiciliary care, training, habilitation, 
counseling, or supervision of mental retardation or service recipients who have mental 
retardation. 
 
(34) “Mentally Ill Service Recipient ” means a service recipient who has a psychiatric disorder, 
alcohol dependence or drug dependence, but does not mean an individual whose only 
disability is mental retardation or a developmental disability. 
 
(35) “Mobile Non- Ambulatory Individual” means an individual who is able, without other 
assistance, to transfer to and move about only with the aid of a wheelchair, walker, crutch, 
wheeled platform, or similar device. 
 
(36) “On-Duty and On- Site” means a staff person who is on the facility ’s premises and has the 
obligation to carry out any job responsibilities designated in his/her job description. 
DEFINITIONS CHAPTER 0940-05-01 
 
(Rule 0940-05-01-.01, continued) 
February, 2025 (Revised) 5 
 
(37) “On-Site” means a staff person who is on the facility ’s premises but is only required to be on 
duty during an emergency. 
 
(38) “Personal Care” means services provided to a service recipient who does not require chronic 
or convalescent medical or nursing care. Personal care is the safekeeping and supervision of 
the service recipient ’s self -administration of prescription medication along with any of the 
following services: (1) responsibility for the safety of the service recipient, (2) a daily 
awareness by the management and staff of the service recipient ’s functioning, (3) knowledge 
of his or her whereabouts, (4) reminding a service recipient of appointments, (5) the ability 
and readiness to intervene if a crisis arises for a service recipient, and/or (6) supervision in 
the following areas for the service recipient ’s major life activities, self -care, self -direction; 
capacity for independent living or economic self-sufficiency. 
 
(39) “Physical Abuse” means harmful or painful physical contact including, but not limited to, the 
intentional striking, shoving, or pushing of a service recipient by anyone, including another 
service recipient. Also included is the use of excessive force when restraining a service 
recipient (e.g., using methods to restrain a service recipient which are not outlined in staff 
training) and acts which constituted sexual activity. 
 
(40) “Physician” means a graduate of an accredited medical school authorized to confer upon 
graduates the degree of Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) who is duly licensed in Tennessee or an 
osteopathic physician who is a graduate of a recognized osteopathic college authorized to 
confer the degree of Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) and who is licensed to practice osteopathic 
medicine in Tennessee. 
 
(41) “Physician Assistant ” means an individual who renders services, whether diagnostic or 
therapeutic, which are acts constituting the practice of medicine and, but for the provisions of 
T.C.A. § 63-6-204, could only be performed by a licensed physician. 
 
(42) “Policies and Procedures Manual ” means a document that describes the philosophy, 
services, organization, policies, and procedures for implementing services to the service 
recipients of a facility. 
 
(43) “PRN” means an order which is written to allow a medication or a treatment to be given on an 
as-needed basis. 
 
(44) “Psychiatrist” means a physician who specializes in the assessment and treatment of 
individuals having psychiatric disorders; is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and 
Neurology or has the documented equivalent in education, training and/or experience; and 
who is fully licensed to practice medicine in the State of Tennessee. 
 
(45) “Psychoactive Drug ” means a psychotropic medication. For a more complete definition see 
the definition for “psychotropic medication.” 
 
(46) “Psychotropic Medication” means a drug which exercises a direct effect upon the central 
nervous system and which is capable of influencing and modifying behavior. Drugs covered 
by these rules include but are not limited to: 
 
(a) Anti-depressants, 
 
(b) Anti-psychotics, 
 
(c) Agents for control of mania and depression, 
 
(d) Anti-anxiety agents, 
DEFINITIONS CHAPTER 0940-05-01 
 
(Rule 0940-05-01-.01, continued) 
February, 2025 (Revised) 6 
 
(e) Psychomotor stimulants, and 
 
(f) Hypnotics. 
 
(47) “Qualified Dietician ” means a person licensed as a dietician/nutritionist by the Tennessee 
Board of Dietician/Nutritionist Examiners. 
 
(48) “Qualified Food Service Manager ” means a qualified dietician, a graduate of a dietetic 
technician or assistant training program approved by the American Dietetic Association or a 
graduate of a state- approved course that provides ninety (90) or more hours of classroom 
instruction in food service supervision who has experience as a supervisor in a health care 
institution with consultation from a qualified dietician. 
 
(49) “Qualified Medical Records Practitioner ” means a record technician (ART) currently 
accredited by the American Medical Records Association, or a registered record 
administrator (RRA) currently registered by the American Medical Record Association or 
others qualified by work experience. 
 
(50) “Qualified Prescribers” means individuals authorized to prescribe medications by the State of 
Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners or the Tennessee Board of Nursing. 
 
(51) “Quality Assurance” means a systematic procedure for the review and evaluation of the 
agency’s functions, quality of services and the utilization of resources in the provision of 
services. 
 
(52) “Recovery” means the process in which service recipients diagnosed with mental illness 
and/or alcohol and/or drug abuse or dependency disorders live, work, learn, and participate 
fully in their communities. Recovery services help service recipients live a full or productive 
life with a disability and may result in the reduction or complete remission of problems or 
abstinence from addictive behaviors. Recovery services include: basic education about 
mental illness or addictive disorders, case management, drug testing, employment support, 
family support, pastoral support/spiritual support, social activities, relapse prevention, 
housing, transportation, and consumer/peer support. 
 
(53) “Reputable and Responsible Character ” means having a personal and/or business history 
which suggests that the licensee can be trusted with responsibility for individuals particularly 
vulnerable to neglect and financial and sexual exploitation. Personal and/or business 
histories involving operation of substandard facilities and an arrest record resulting in a 
conviction for offense relating to theft, larceny, embezzlement, rape, assault, homicide, 
drugs, and pornography, are inherently inconsistent with “ reputable and responsible 
character.” 
 
(54) “Restraint” means measures taken to restrict service recipients ’ freedom of movement 
including: 
 
(a) “Chemical Restraint ” means a medication that is prescribed to restrict the service 
recipient’s freedom of movement for the control of extreme violent physical behavior. 
Chemical restraints are medications used in addition to, or in replacement of, the 
service recipient ’s regular drug regimen to control extreme violent behavior. The 
medications that comprise the service recipient ’s regular medical regimen (including 
PRN medications) are not considered chemical restraints, even if their purpose is to 
control ongoing behavior; 
 
(b) “Mechanical Restraint ” means the application of a mechanical device, material, or 
equipment attached or adjacent to the service recipient ’s body, including ambulatory 
DEFINITIONS CHAPTER 0940-05-01 
 
(Rule 0940-05-01-.01, continued) 
February, 2025 (Revised) 7 
restraints, which the service recipient cannot easily remove and that restricts freedom 
of movement or normal access to the service recipient ’s body. Mechanical restraint 
does not include the use of: 
 
1. Restrictive devices or manual methods employed by a law enforcement agent or 
other public safety officer to maintain custody, detention, or public safety during 
the transport of an individual under the jurisdiction of the criminal justice system 
or juveniles with charges in the juvenile justice system; or 
 
2. Restraints for medical immobilization, adaptive support, or medical protection; or 
 
3. Restrictive devices administratively authorized to ensure the safety of the service 
recipient or others when an involuntary committed service recipient must be 
transported. 
 
(c) “Physical Holding” means the use of staff body contact with a service recipient in order 
to restrict freedom of movement or normal access to one’ s body to prevent the service 
recipient’s behavior from becoming dangerous to himself, others or property. Physical 
holding does not include the use of: 
 
1. Physical touch associated with prompting, comforting or assisting that does not 
prevent the individual service recipient ’s freedom of movement or normal access 
to his or her body; 
 
2. Physical escort which means the temporary touching or holding of the hand, 
wrist, arm, shoulder or back for the purpose of inducing the individual to walk to a 
safe location; or 
 
3. Physical intervention for the temporary holding of the hand(s), wrist(s), arm(s), 
shoulders(s), or leg(s) which does not otherwise restrict freedom of movement or 
access to one’s body, for the purpose of terminating unsafe behavior. 
 
(55) “Restrictive Procedure” means a treatment procedure that limits the rights of the service 
recipient for the purpose of modifying problem behavior, including but not limited to time- out 
and restraint. 
 
(56) “Schedule II Drugs” means drugs and other substances, by whatever official name, common 
or usual name, chemical name, or brand name designated, defined in T.C.A. § 39- 17-407 or 
listed in T.C.A. § 39-17-408. 
 
(57) “Self Administration of Medication” means the ability of a service recipient to take prescribed 
or over-the-counter medications without assistance from another person. 
 
(58) “Service Recipient” means a person who is receiving services, has applied for services, or for 
whom someone has applied for or proposed services because the person has mental illness, 
serious emotional disturbance, or a developmental disability. 
 
(59) “Shall or Must” means a mandatory provision. 
 
(60) “Should or May” means a suggestion or recommendation. 
 
(61) “Standard Precautions ” means an approach to infection control based on the principle that 
broken skin and mucus membranes as well as all blood, body fluids, and secretions (except 
sweat) may contain transmissible infectious agents. Standard precautions apply to all service 
recipients regardless of suspected or confirmed infection status, in any setting where care is 
DEFINITIONS CHAPTER 0940-05-01 
 
(Rule 0940-05-01-.01, continued) 
February, 2025 (Revised) 8 
provided. Current guidelines for Standard Precautions are published by the Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 
 
(62) “Time-Out” means a behavior management procedure in which the opportunity for positive 
reinforcement is withheld, contingent upon the demonstration of undesired behavior. Time-
out may involve the voluntary separation of an individual service recipient from others. 
 
(63) “Treatment Review Committee” means a committee to make decisions for a service recipient 
who lacks capacity as defined by T.C.A. § 33- 3-218. The composition, duties and 
responsibilities of Treatment Review Committees are defined by T.C.A. § 33-6-107. 
 
(64) “Treatment” means a therapeutic process to reduce or eliminate the symptoms and side 
effects of mental illness, alcohol and/or drug abuse, or dependency disorders through direct 
observation, assessment, examination, and therapeutic intervention. Treatment services are 
screening; clinical assessment; diagnostic evaluation; treatment planning; therapeutic 
interventions including individual, family and group therapy; medication prescription and 
monitoring; and discharge planning and referral. 
 
(65) “Verbal Abuse” means insulting or coarse language directed toward a service recipient which 
subjects the service recipient to humiliation or degradation, including, but not limited to, 
swearing at a service recipient, name calling, taunting, and other inappropriate verbal 
behavior. 
 
(66) “Vocational Services ” means the services provided to service recipients involving 
remunerative work experiences within the licensed facility and the provision of vocational 
activities of an industrial or productive vocational nature such as assembling, packaging, 
painting, stripping, wood or metal working, or manufacturing within the licensed facility. 
 
(67) “Volunteer” means a person who is not paid by the licensee and whose varied skills are used 
by the licensee to support and supplement the efforts of the paid facility staff. 
 
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4- 4-103, 33- 1-302, 33- 1-305, 33- 1-309, 33- 2-301, 33- 2-302, and 33-2-404, and 
Executive Order 44 (February 23, 2007). Administrative History: Original rule filed November 16, 1978; 
effective January 1, 1979. Amendment filed May 22, 1979; effective July 10, 1979. Amendment filed 
November 30, 1983; effective December 30, 1983. Repeal and new rule filed May 26, 1988; effective July 
11, 1988. Amendment filed August 29, 2003; effective December 29, 2003. Repeal and new rule filed 
June 29, 2004; effective September 12, 2004. Amendment filed May 6, 2008; effective September 26, 
2008. Repeal and new rule filed August 27, 2008; effective December 29, 2008. Administrative 
corrections made to agency names in December 2022 pursuant to Public Chapter 575 of 2012. 
 
0940-05-01-.02 DEFINITION OF TERMS USED IN MENT AL HEALTH RULES. As used in Chapters 
0940-05-14 through 0940- 05-19 and 0940-05-29 through 0940-05-37 of these rules, unless the context 
indicates otherwise, terms have the following meaning: 
 
(1) “Activity Therapy Staff ” means persons with degrees and/or clinical training and/or 
certification registration in a recognized activity therapy field which includes, but is not limited 
to, therapeutic recreation, music therapy, occupational therapy, art therapy, or dance therapy, 
or a person who is directly supervised by one of the above professionals. 
 
(2) “Licensed Clinical Psychologist ” means a psychologist licensed to practice psychology in 
Tennessee with the certified competency in clinical psychology determined by the State 
Licensing Board for the Healing Arts and the Board of Examiners in Psychology. 
 
(3) “Licensed Mental Health Professional ” means a licensed mental health professional is an 
individual who meets the requirements in the definition of Licensed Independent Practitioner 
DEFINITIONS CHAPTER 0940-05-01 
 
(Rule 0940-05-01-.02, continued) 
February, 2025 (Revised) 9 
or who is licensed by the Tennessee Health Related Boards as a registered nurse, licensed 
practical nurse, psychological examiner, or substance abuse counselor. 
 
(4) “Mental Health Personnel ” means a staff member who operates under the direct supervision 
of a mental health professional. 
 
(5) “Mental Health Professional ” means a board eligible or a board certified psychiatrist or a 
person with at least a Master ’s degree and/or clinical training in an accepted mental health 
field which includes, but is not limited to, counseling, nursing, occupational therapy, 
psychology, social work, vocational rehabilitation, or activity therapy. 
 
(6) “Qualified Mental Health Professional ” means a person who is licensed in the state, if 
required for the profession, and who is a psychiatrist; physician with expertise in psychiatry 
as determined by training, education, or experience; psychologist with health service provider 
designation; psychological examiner or senior psychological examiner; social worker who is 
certified with two (2) years of mental health experience or is licensed; marital and family 
therapist; nurse with a master ’s degree in nursing who functions as a psychiatric nurse; 
professional counselor; or if the person is providing service to service recipients who are 
children, any of the above educational credentials plus mental health experience with 
children. 
 
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4- 4-103, 33- 1-302, 33- 1-305, 33- 1-309, 33- 2-301, 33- 2-302, and 33- 2-404. 
Administrative History: Original rule filed November 16, 1978; effective January 1, 1979. Amendment 
filed May 22, 1979; effective July 10, 1979. Amendment filed November 30, 1983; effective December 30, 
1983. Repeal and new rule filed May 26, 1988; effective July 11, 1988. Repeal filed September 4, 2003; 
effective January 28, 2004. New rule filed June 29, 2004; effective September 12, 2004. Repeal and new 
rule filed August 27, 2008; effective December 29, 2008. 
 
0940-05-01-.03 REPEALED. 
 
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-4-103, 4-5-202, 4-5-204, 33-1-101, 33-1-302, 33-1-303, 33-1-305, 33-1-309, 33-2-
301, and 33- 2-302. Administrative History: Original rule filed November 6, 1978; effective January 1, 
1979. Amendment filed May 22, 1979; ef fective July 10, 1979. Amendment filed November 30, 1983; 
effective December 30, 1983. Repeal and new rule filed May 26, 1988; effective July 11, 1988. Repeal 
and new rule filed June 29, 2004; effective September 12, 2004. Repeal filed November 25, 2024; 
effective February 23, 2025. 
 
0940-05-01-.04 DEFINITION OF DISTINCT CATEGORIES OF MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES. 
 
(1) Crisis Stabilization Unit - A crisis stabilization unit (CSU) is specifically designed for service 
recipients eighteen (18) years of age and older in need of short -term stabilization (up to 96 
hours), who do not meet the criteria for other treatment resources, other less restrictive 
treatment resources are not available, or the service recipient is agreeable to receive 
services voluntarily at the CSU and meet admission criteria. If necessary, in order to assure 
that the adequate arrangements are in place to allow for the safe discharge of the service 
recipient, the length of stay may be extended by up to 24 hours. 
 
(2) Mental Health Day Program Facility - A non -residential facility that provides a treatment 
and/or rehabilitation program of at least three (3) hours duration per program day for persons 
with mental disorders. The program may be provided during the day, evening, or weekend 
hours. The program may be structured and offer community living skills training, vocational 
training, assistance with interpersonal relationships and be geared toward moving the person 
on to a more independent and normal life style. The program might also be unstructured and 
provide socialization and maintenance to persons who might not move on to more 
independence. 
 
DEFINITIONS CHAPTER 0940-05-01 
 
(Rule 0940-05-01-.04, continued) 
February, 2025 (Revised) 10 
(3) Mental Health Hospital Facility - An inpatient facility that is held out to the public as a hospital 
and, in connection with the services of a physician, offers diagnosis, treatment, and care to 
mentally ill individuals on a comprehensive inpatient basis. 
 
(4) Mental Health Outpatient Facility - A non -residential, clinic facility that provides services 
designed to provide mental health care for non- hospitalized individuals experiencing acute or 
ongoing psychiatric distress. Periodic contacts are of short duration. Services include, but are 
not limited to, diagnostic assessments, collateral services, individual therapy, crisis 
intervention, medication, and follow up. 
 
(5) Mental Health Residential Treatment Facility - A community-based facility that offers twenty -
four (24) hour residential care as well as a treatment and rehabilitation component. The focus 
of the program may be on short -term crisis stabilization or on long- term rehabilitation that 
includes training in community living skills, vocational skills, and/or socialization. The staff 
includes direct-care staff as well as treatment staff. Treatment staff may be present full time 
or only during times when program activities or interventions are occurring. Access to 
medical services, social services, and mental health services are insured and are usually 
provided off site. 
 
(6) Mental Hea lth Supportive Living Facility - A residential facility which provides room, board, 
and personal care services to two (2) or more individuals unrelated to the owner or operator 
of the facility who have been diagnosed with a mental illness by a mental health professional 
using the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) criteria. 
 
(7) Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program Facility - A non- residential facility which provides a 
program of rehabilitation and recreation for persons with mental disorders. The program may 
be provided during the day, evening, or weekend hours. The focus of the program is on 
mental health, strengths and abilities, rather than mental illness, symptoms and problems. 
Service recipients are typically members and not patients and frequently are responsible for 
most of the content and format of the program. The degree of structure may vary but will 
generally offer interpersonal skill training, daily living skills training, educational development, 
recreational/social activities, self -help groups, and family involvement. However, a major 
focus of the program is on vocational rehabilitation. Members may participate in the program 
with varying intensity for an indefinite period of time. 
 
(8) Mental Health Intensive Day Treatment Program for Children and Adolescent Facility - A 
program equal in length to a school day or after school program which includes a variety of 
treatment activities including, but not limited to, individual, family, and/or group therapy, 
vocational training, social skills training, etc.; and an educational component. 
 
(9) Therapeutic Nursery Program Facility - A non-residential facility program lasting a minimum 
of (3) hours per day designed specifically for pre- school children who are experiencing 
serious emotional disturbance which is a result of severe environmental trauma, especially 
child abuse or neglect. A variety of treatment activities are provided which may include 
individual therapy, therapeutic group instruction and socialization, and a variety of activities to 
address developmental deficits resulting from environmental trauma. 
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-4-103, 4-5-202, 4-5-204, 33-1-101, 33-1-302, 33-1-305, 33-1-309, 33-2-301, 33-2-
302, and 33-2-404. Administrative History: Original rule filed November 16, 1978; effective January 1, 
1979. Amendment filed May 22, 1979; effective July 10, 1979. Amendment filed December 8, 1980; 
effective January 22, 1981. Repeal and new rule filed November 30, 1983; effective December 30, 1983. 
Repeal and new rule filed May 26, 1988; effective July 11, 1988. Repeal and new rule filed June 29, 
2004; effective September 12, 2004. Amendment filed May 6, 2008; effective September 26, 2008. 
Amendment filed August 27, 2008; effective December 29, 2008. 

DEFINITIONS CHAPTER 0940-05-01 

February, 2025 (Revised) 11 
0940-05-01-.05 REPEALED. 
 
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-4-103, 4-5-202, 4-5-204, 33-1-101, 33-1-302, 33-1-303, 33-1-305, 33-1-309, 33-2-
301, and 33 -2-302. Administrative History: Original rule filed November 16, 1978; effective January 1, 
1979. Amendment filed May 22, 1979; effective July 10, 1979. Repeal and new rule filed November 30, 
1983; effective December 30, 1983. Rule renumbered as 0940-05-02-.18. New rule filed May 26, 1988; 
effective July 11, 1988. Repeal filed September 4, 2003; effective January 28, 2004. New rule filed June 
29, 2004; effective September 12, 2004. Repeal filed November 25, 2024; effective February 23, 2025. 
 
0940-05-01-.06 REPEALED. 
 
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4- 4-103, 33- 1-302, 33- 1-305, 33- 1-309, 33- 2-301, 33- 2-302, and 33- 2-404. 
Administrative History: Original rule filed November 16, 1978; effective January 1, 1979. Amendment 
filed May 22, 1979; effective July 10, 1979. Repeal and new rule filed November 30, 1983; effective 
December 30, 1983. Repeal and new rule filed May 26, 1988; effective July 11, 1988. Amendment filed 
July 20, 1993; effective October 3, 1993. Amendment filed January 11, 1996; effective March 26, 1996. 
Repeal filed August 27, 2008; effective December 29, 2008. 
 
0940-05-01-.07 REPEALED. 
 
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-4-103, 33- 1-205(b)(5), 33-1-302, 33- 1-303, 33- 1-305, 33- 1-309, and 33- 2-504. 
Administrative History: Original rule filed December 8, 1980; effective January 22, 1981. Amendment 
filed November 30, 1983; effective December 30, 1983. Repeal and new rule filed May 26, 1988; effective 
July 11, 1988. Amendment filed October 17, 1995; effective December 31, 1995. Repeal filed November 
25, 2024; effective February 23, 2025. 
 
0940-05-01-.08 THROUGH 0940-05-01-.12 REPEALED. 
 
Authority: T.C.A. § 33-2-504. Administrative History: Original rule filed December 8, 1980; effective 
January 22, 1981. Amendment filed November 30, 1983; effective December 30, 1983. Repeal filed May 
26, 1988; effective July 11, 1988. 
 
0940-05-01-.13 REPEALED. 
 
Authority: T.C.A. § 33-2-504. Administrative History: Original rule filed December 8, 1980; effective 
January 22, 1981. Repeal filed May 26, 1988; effective July 11, 1988. 
 
0940-05-01-.14 REPEALED. 
 
Authority: T.C.A. § 33-2-504. Administrative History: Original rule filed December 8, 1980; effective 
January 22, 1981. Amendment filed November 30, 1983; effective December 30, 1983. Repeal filed May 
26, 1988; effective July 11, 1988. 
 
0940-05-01-.15 DEFINITIONS FOR THE DISTINCT CATEGORY OF PERSONAL SUPPORT 
SERVICES AGENCIES. 
 
(1) “Agency” means a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability company or 
limited liability partnership providing personal support services as defined below. Agency 
includes all entities that employ or subcontract with individuals who provide personal support 
services to service recipients. 
 
(2) “Chronic Condition” means a mental and/or physical impairment that is expected to last 
indefinitely. 
 
DEFINITIONS CHAPTER 0940-05-01 
 
(Rule 0940-05-01-.15, continued) 
February, 2025 (Revised) 12 
(3) “Service Recipient” means an individual who, because of a chronic condition, has substantial 
limitations in two or more major life activities, and who is receiving services in either a regular 
or temporary residence. 
 
(4) “Education Services” means consultation provided by a licensed nurse to the service 
recipient or primary family caregiver concerning a chronic condition. 
 
(5) “Personal Support Services ” means one or more of the following services provided to a 
service recipient in the individual ’s regular or temporary residence to assist with activities of 
daily living. Personal support services include but are not limited to: 
 
(a) Self-care assistance with tasks such as eating, dressing, toileting, bathing, mobility, 
transfer assistance and other services and supports to maintain health and wellness; 
 
(b) Household assistance with tasks such as housekeeping, laundry, meal planning, meal 
preparation, shopping, bill paying, and use of telecommunication devices; 
 
(c) Personal assistance to access community activities such as transportation, social, 
recreational or other personal activities; and 
 
(d) Education services. 
 
(6) “Major Life Activities” means 
 
(a) Self-care; 
 
(b) Receptive and expressive language; 
 
(c) Learning; 
 
(d) Mobility; 
 
(e) Self-direction; 
 
(f) Capacity for independent living; or 
 
(g) Economic self-sufficiency. 
 
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-4-103, 4-5-202, 4-5-204, 33-1-302, 33-1-305, 33-1-309, 33-2-301, and 33- 2-302. 
Administrative History: Original rule filed August 29, 2003; effective December 29, 2003. 
 
0940-05-01-.16 DEFINITIONS OF TERMS USED IN ALCOHOL AND DRUG RULES. 
 
As used in Chapters 0940-05-39 through 0940-05-47 of these rules, unless the context indicates 
otherwise, terms have the following meaning: 
 
(1) “Aftercare Plan/Aftercare Services” means services provided to the service recipient following 
successful completion of a treatment program to ensure sustained achievement of goals 
post-treatment including sobriety and successful transition to a recovery -oriented lifestyle in 
the community. Services are provided on an outpatient basis and may include individual 
counseling, group counseling, self-help group participation, and/or recovery support services. 
Services may be provided by the treatment program or through referral to another service 
provider. The services must be documented in an aftercare plan developed by a treatment 
staff person and the service recipient, and specifying the type of services, planned frequency 
of contact, number of contacts, referrals for services, and staff responsible for the plan. 
 
DEFINITIONS CHAPTER 0940-05-01 
 
(Rule 0940-05-01-.16, continued) 
February, 2025 (Revised) 13 
(2) “Alcohol and/or Drug Abuse or Dependency ” means disorders characterized by the 
continuous or episodic use of alcohol and/or other drugs resulting in maladaptive patterns of 
use as defined in currently accepted diagnostic nomenclature for abuse or dependency. 
 
(3) “ASAM PPC” means the most current version of the American Society of Addiction Medicine 
Patient Placement Criteria for matching service recipients to appropriate levels of care. 
 
(4) “ASAM PPC Case Review ” means documentation of the reasoning for admission, continued 
stay, step up/step down or discharge for a specific service recipient using the ASAM PPC. 
 
(5) “ASI” means Addiction Severity Index, a standardized multi -focused screening/assessment 
tool used to collect information regarding the nature and severity of problems of substance 
abusers. 
 
(6) “Detoxification” means a process of withdrawing a service recipient from a specific 
psychoactive substance in a safe and effective manner. 
 
(7) “Qualified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Personnel ” means persons who meet the 
criteria described in subparagraphs (a), (b) and (c) as follows: 
 
(a) Currently meet one (1) of the following conditions: 
 
1. Licensed or certified by the State of Tennessee as a physician, registered nurse, 
practical nurse, psychologist, psychological examiner, social worker, substance 
abuse counselor, teacher, professional counselor, associate counselor or marital 
and family therapist, or if there is no applicable licensure or certification by the 
State, has a bachelor ’s degree or above in a behavioral science or human 
development related area; or 
 
2. Actively engaged in a recognized course of study or other formal process for 
meeting criteria of part 1. of subparagraph (a) above, and directly supervised by 
a staff person who meets criteria in part 1. of subparagraph (a) above, who is 
trained and qualified as described in subparagraph (b) and (c) below, and who 
has a minimum of two (2) years experience in his/her area of practice; and 
 
(b) Are qualified by education and/or experience for the specific duties of their position; 
and 
 
(c) Are trained in alcohol, tobacco and/or other drug abuse specific information or skills. 
(Examples of types of training include, but are not limited to, alcohol or other drug 
abuse specific in- services, workshops, substance abuse schools, academic 
coursework and internships, field placement or residences). 
 
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4- 4-103, 33- 1-302, 33- 1-305, 33- 1-309, 33- 2-301, 33- 2-302, and 33-2-404, and 
Executive Order 44 (February 23, 2007). Administrative History: New rule filed August 27, 2008; 
effective December 29, 2008. 
 
0940-05-01-.17 DEFINITIONS OF DISTINCT CATEGORIES OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG SERVICES. 
 
(1) “Alcohol and Drug D.U.I. School Services ” means an intervention program providing 
assessment, education and, if indicated, appropriate treatment referral, for offenders of 
driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs (i.e. , convicted of violation of T.C.A. § 
55-10-401). 
 
(2) “Alcohol and Drug Halfway House Treatment Facility ” means a transitional residential 
program providing services to service recipients with alcohol and/or drug abuse or 
DEFINITIONS CHAPTER 0940-05-01 
 
(Rule 0940-05-01-.17, continued) 
February, 2025 (Revised) 14 
dependency disorders with the primary purpose of establishing vocational stability and 
counseling focused on re- entering the community. Service recipients are expected to be 
capable of self -administering medication, working, seeking work, or attending 
vocational/educational activities away from the residence for part of the day. Services include 
counseling contacts, lectures, seminars, and other services necessary to meet the service 
recipient’s assessed needs. 
 
(3) “Alcohol and Drug Non- Residential Treatment Facility ” means an outpatient facility which 
offers treatment services to service recipients with alcohol and/or drug abuse or dependency 
disorders that can include but not be limited to assessment, referral, counseling, and 
education. 
 
(4) “Alcohol and Drug Residential Treatment Facilities for Children and Youth” means a 
residential program which offers twenty -four (24) hour treatment to service recipients under 
eighteen (18) years of age with the primary purpose of restoring service recipients with 
alcohol and/or drug abuse or dependency disorders to abstinence and levels of positive 
functioning appropriate to the service recipient. An important goal of these services is to 
move the service recipient into less intensive levels of care and/or reintegration into the 
community. The program must provide, or arrange for an education component in 
compliance with the Rules, Regulations, and Minimum Standards of the Tennessee State 
Board of Education. 
 
(5) “Alcohol and Drug Residential Treatment Facility for Adults ” means a residential program for 
service recipients at least eighteen (18) years of age, which offers highly structured services 
to service recipients with the primary purpose of restoring service recipients with alcohol 
and/or drug abuse or dependency disorders to levels of positive functioning and abstinence 
appropriate to the service recipient. A primary goal of these services is to move service 
recipients into less intensive levels of care and/or reintegration into the community as 
appropriate. Services include counseling contacts, lectures/seminars, and other services 
necessary to meet the service recipients assessed needs. 
 
(6) “Non-Residential Opioid Treatment Facility ” means a non- residential opioid treatment facility 
for treating the opiate- dependent service recipient with the goal of the service recipient 
becoming free from any drug which is not medically indicated. 
 
(7) “Alcohol and Drug Residential Detoxification Services ” means intensive twenty-four (24) hour 
residential services for service recipients at least eighteen (18) years of age meeting the 
criteria of the American Society of Addiction Medicine Placement Criteria (ASAM PPC) for 
clinically managed detoxification (Level III.2- D) or medically monitored detoxification (Level 
III.7-D) to systematically reduce or eliminate the amount of a toxic agent in the body until the 
signs and symptoms of withdrawal are resolved. Clinically managed residential detoxification 
emphasizes social and peer support and relies on established clinical protocols to determine 
whether service recipients need a higher level of care to manage withdrawal. Medically 
monitored residential detoxification services use medical and nursing professionals to 
manage withdrawal signs and symptoms without the full resources of an acute care or 
psychiatric hospital. Residential detoxification services can be offered in a community setting 
or a specialty unit within a hospital. 
 
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4- 4-103, 33- 1-302, 33- 1-305, 33- 1-309, 33- 2-301, 33- 2-302, and 33-2-404, and 
Executive Order 44 (February 23, 2007). Administrative History: New rule filed August 27, 2008; 
effective December 29, 2008.